Missing live music and going to the movies? You're far from alone. Now, following four months of a nationwide blackout of movies and live music, Studio C has announced two new programs. Sunset Cinema and Listening Lawn will take place outdoors, on the piazza at Studio Park in Downtown Grand Rapids.
"Holding events responsibly in 2020 requires some new thinking," said Quinn Mathews, manager, Listening Room. "Our team has been focused on that for months now. We all want to get back to doing the things we love, but we want to do it thoughtfully. That's what Sunset Cinema and Listening Lawn are all about."
Sunset Cinema, presented on Wednesdays by Celebration Cinema, is a series of captioned outdoor movies programmed with movie-lovers in mind. The first movie presented was Yellow Submarine on July 15, with Baby Driver upcoming on July 22 and Parasite on July 29. More dates and films are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Listening Lawn, presented by Listening Room on Thursdays, is an outdoor concert series featuring local, regional and national musicians. Luke Winslow-King will kick things off on July 23rd, bringing a unique blend of Mississippi delta blues, folk, roots, and rock n' roll to Grand Rapids. Following on July 30 is Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues. More dates will be announced soon.
Audiences could expect to see the following practices and procedures:
- Physical distancing measures will require a minimum purchase of four tickets, which will reserve a section of the lawn for a grouping of up to four people. Guests are welcome to come in smaller groups but will need to purchase the entirety of the space. Each group will be spaced at least 6 feet from other guests and the total capacity of the space will be limited to the most recent state guidelines.
- Studio C staff will wear personal protective gear, including face masks. Sunset Cinema and Listening Lawn guests are asked to bring a mask to wear while moving about, though they are welcome to remove their masks while seated.
- Piazza dinners, appetizers, movie treats and an outdoor cash bar will be available through One Twenty Three Tavern. Other onsite restaurants include Leo's Coney Island, Malamiah Juice Bar & Eatery, and the soon-to-be-open Pumphouse Frozen Yogurt. No outside drinks are permitted.
"The piazza at Studio Park was built for this kind of programming," Quinn said. "And we're even more thrilled to share this space with the community right now—out in the fresh air, under the evening sky, with full attention to sound and the whole experience."
Customers are required to pre-purchase tickets online via Sunset Cinema, Listening Lawn, or the Celebration Cinema app, with standard online convenience fees being waived for both series. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs, though it's important to note height restrictions do apply and blankets are discouraged.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for West Michigan Woman.
Photo courtesy of Studio C.
